Why Tim Tebow Will Not Make New England Patriots' Final 53-Man Roster

Much was made of New England's decision to sign quarterback Tim Tebow back on June 10, but it will all be for nothing come September. Tebow will not make the Patriots' final roster because he has nothing significant to contribute to the team.

Any New England fan or reporter who has covered the team will tell you the Pats are not the most orthodox of NFL franchises. They've used wide receivers as defensive backs and like to sign lots of tight ends. And of course, most recently, the team signed Tebow and all the "Tebowmania" that comes with him.

While the former Broncos and Jets quarterback will get his chance in training camp to make his case to be on the team, there is simply too much working against him.

He does have former Denver coach Josh McDaniels to likely make a case for him. McDaniels drafted Tebow in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. That being said, the Patriots have cut guys the offensive coordinator has been fond of before; just ask Brandon Lloyd.

How much of a chance does Tim Tebow have of making the Patriots roster?

25 percent50 percent75 percent100 percent, he will make the team.Submit Votevote to see results

How much of a chance does Tim Tebow have of making the Patriots roster?

25 percent

17.6%

50 percent

19.5%

75 percent

17.9%

100 percent, he will make the team.

45.0%

Total votes: 5,911

Tebow's biggest obstacle is the fact that he cannot beat out Ryan Mallett for the backup quarterback spot. Some might say New England could keep him on as a No. 3 option. But the Patriots have decided to have just two quarterbacks on the roster many a times in recent years.

ESPN Boston's Mike Rodak recently stated he believes that Tebow has just a 25 percent chance of making the Patriots' final roster. That number sounds about right. New England has made puzzling decisions before, and for that reason, one has to give Tebow a slim chance.

The other argument swirling around is that with the Florida product's 6'3", 245-pound frame, he could play tight end for New England and contribute in that manner. Just because a player has the build to play a position, though, doesn't mean they can magically make the transition and excel.

Tebow will not be a tight end for the Patriots next year, and he won't be holding a clipboard on the sidelines either. New England has nothing to gain by paying Tebow to sit on the sidelines.

The fact remains that he cannot beat out Mallett for the No. 2 job. Mallett has been with the Patriots his whole career and already knows the system. The former Arkansas quarterback is also, clearly, a more conventional player than Tebow.

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In college, Mallett threw for over 3,600 yards in both seasons at Arkansas, a feat Tebow never accomplished at Florida. The former Gator eclipsed the 3,000-yard mark just once at the college level.

There is no reason for the Patriots to waste time trying to work on the project that is Tebow when they've already been coaching up Mallett.

Tom Brady is not getting any younger. Choosing Tebow over Mallett would set the Patriots back two seasons, which is the amount of time they've been working with the latter.

Mallett is the better player of the two, and Tebow serves no purpose at tight end or as the No. 3 quarterback.